Fuel cost calculator
Work out a car's annual and 5-year fuel cost from its MPG, the miles you drive, and the price of fuel. The formula is simple: (miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon. For an electric car it's (miles ÷ 100) × kWh/100mi × price per kWh. Pick a model to prefill its EPA figure, or type your own. Defaults use the EIA national-average prices for June 2026.
Source: EIA US regular gasoline price (national average). Data as of June 2026.
How the fuel-cost formula works
For a combustion car, fuel cost is (miles ÷ MPG) × $/gallon. Drive 12,000 miles in a 25-MPG
car at $3.40/gal and you'll burn 480 gallons, costing about
$1,632.00 a year. For an EV, cost is
(miles ÷ 100) × kWh/100mi × $/kWh. The same 12,000 miles in a 28-kWh/100mi EV at
$0.18/kWh uses 3,360 kWh, costing about
$591.36 a year. See the
methodology for assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate annual fuel cost?
Annual fuel cost = (miles per year ÷ MPG) × price per gallon. For example, 15,000 miles ÷ 30 MPG = 500 gallons; at $3.40/gal that's $1,700 a year. For an EV, cost = (miles ÷ 100) × kWh per 100 miles × price per kWh.
What gas price should I use?
The calculator defaults to the EIA US national average of about $3.40/gallon (June 2026) and $0.176/kWh for electricity, but you should enter your local price for an accurate figure — gas prices vary widely by state.
Is EPA MPG the same as real-world MPG?
EPA combined MPG is a standardized lab-based estimate. Real-world MPG is often a little lower (aggressive driving, cold weather, short trips) but EPA combined is the best apples-to-apples benchmark. Enter your own observed MPG if you know it.
How much does fuel cost over 5 years?
Multiply the annual fuel cost by five (the calculator shows this). Over a typical ownership period, a 10-MPG difference between two cars can add up to thousands of dollars.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20